Our Team

Lucy McGinley

Teacher/Director

Lucy has been working in Montessori Early Childhood settings for over 14 years. She is passionate about connecting with children by discovering their interests and incorporating these throughout the environment. Lucy enjoys time in nature with her family, often collecting natural found items to share with the children, reading, cooking … and eating, and creative activities.

At the MCH Lucy is the Teacher for the two, two day kindergarten programs and the Centre Director.

Lucy also enjoys her role as Educational Leader, mentoring staff and ensuring they are embracing current theories as well as the Montessori method. Having been a parent, committee member and a previous staff member for 8 years, Lucy is involved in all areas of the Infant’s House and Children’s House.

Sally Staby

Full Time Educator

Sally is an experienced Montessori educator who believes that curiosity is at the heart of lifelong learning and wellbeing and enjoys the curious and wonder-filled journeys that are inescapable when in the company of young children. These journeys began over twenty years ago, working in Montessori settings in Africa, Europe, the UK and most recently here in Australia. Sally is currently studying towards her Bachelor of Education to become an Early Childhood Teacher.

Family time is treasured and Sally loves spending time with her husband, two teenage children and two fabulous felines, Fifi and Coco. When time allows, she enjoys crochet, bush and beach walks and having friends over for dinners and game nights.

Junko Papi

Educator Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Junko was born in Japan and graduated with a Teaching degree for Junior High School. She arrived in Australia in 1994. After her daughter was born, she completed a Certificate Ⅲ for Education Support (Teacher Aide). Junko started working for Montessori Children House in August 2019 and has always loved the Montessori philosophy and environment. She has completed studies for her Certificate for Montessori approach. Junko loves nature, food and her family including a chihuahua & guinea pigs!

Junko is the Educator for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday groups.

Sam Lister

Educator and Administration Officer

Sam is the Administrator and the relief Educator for the Infants’ House and Children’s House. She loves connecting with children to provide an atmosphere where they are happy and excited to engage in activities and develop a love of learning. Sam enjoys being part of the children’s games and outdoor activities promoting connectedness and participation in all forms of play.

Sam has 3 beautiful children of her own and saw the benefits of Montessori education early on with the development of her own little ones. It began a Montessori journey in education where she has been both working and involved in the Infants’ House and Children’s House for the past 14 years. Outside of work she enjoys keeping up with her own family and friends, going to the beach, movies, dining out, keeping active and making or participating in creative activities.

Sharon Hardgrave

Infants' House Co-ordinator / Educator

Sharon Hardgrave is of our Infants’ House coordinators. She is also co-owner of Montessori Mindspace, offering extra curricular programs in the afternoon and a school holiday program in the term break.

Sharon has 4 children and 5 grandchildren, and her Montessori journey began when her children attended the Brisbane Montessori School. Sharon has been teaching Montessori for 14 years and holds her Advanced Certificate in 0-3 and 3-6 and a Diploma in Montessori 0-3. Sharon has worked in a number of Montessori schools as an Educational Leader, Assistant Director, and Infant community coordinator.

Sharon is passionate about passing onto children not only skills for their development but also for, empathy, caring for others, self-worth, patience. She values what the children have to say and acknowledges how they are feeling.

Sharon started in Term 3 2022, and along with her guitar has enriched our music and art offering to the children.

Lucy Ritchie

Group B Educator Wednesday to Friday and relief Early Childhood Teacher

Lucy has been working in Early Childhood education for 20 years and is passionate about Montessori education and all of the knowledge and life skills children gain from the Montessori philosophy. In 2023 Lucy completed her Bachelor of Education Early Childhood Education.

Lucy is a proud auntie to 9 nieces and nephews aged from 2 to 12 years of age. She has two cats named Albie and Barney, and enjoys travelling, meeting up with friends and going for walks along the river.